EDITOR: Being the father of Portage County Sheriff’s Deputy Steven Brown, I try to keep abreast of the issues my son faces in his day-to-day service to your community.

With the announced retirement in January of Sheriff John Charewicz, whom I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside at the “Cops and Bobbers” youth fishing event for the last three years, I became aware of the four candidates running to replace him.

While researching the candidates through their websites, I found Sgt. Kevin Sorenson’s not only looks professional, but also I was impressed with the number of county residents, businesses and what seemed to be a large group of his fellow deputies in support of him. John Charewicz was also on that list of supporters.

While working as a volunteer at this year’s Cops and Bobbers event, I was looking forward to talking to the candidates to seek some additional assurances that my son would be working for, and led by, a man with leadership abilities. (I’m a Vietnam-era Marine Corps veteran, and I know the importance of good leadership.) One would think this yearly program, sponsored by the county’s first responders, would be a natural place for the candidates to make themselves known.

Much to my surprise, only Sorenson made an appearance.

Sitting with Sheriff Charewicz, I watched Sorenson talk to over 125 parents and children attending this event. Several parents were taking pictures of Sorenson with their children and the fish they caught.

Finally, I’m looking for a sheriff who has current field experience. Former Lt. James Grubba has been retired for two years; Sgt. Mike Lukas is currently assigned to the court security service, and Robert Galla is serving as a corrections officer in the Juvenile Detention Facility at the Portage County Jail.

Only Sgt. Kevin Sorenson is actively in the field as a patrol supervisor. He has the support of most of the deputies and makes daily leadership decisions affecting the safety of those under him.

I can’t vote for the next Sheriff, but looking at the facts, it is clear who stands head and shoulders above the rest of the